Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the debuts of its Aloft and Element lifestyle brands in Dubai.
The 165-room Aloft Dubai Raffa and 96-room Element Dubai Raffa will be built as a dual development near Sheikh Zayed Road that is scheduled to open in 2018.
The Aloft hotel will feature a bar, 24-hour "grab and go" eatery, fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool. The Element hotel will be the brand's first United Arab Emirates property.
Starwood president Michael Wale said: "With the Dubai government promoting mid-scale hotel development ahead of the Dubai World Expo 2020, we believe the timing is right to widen the reach of our signature Aloft and Element experiences, which are revolutionising the hospitality industry by delivering a modern, urban-style experience at an affordable price."
Starwood currently operates 15 hotels in Dubai with a further six, including Aloft Dubai Raffa and Element Dubai Raffa, in the pipeline.
Last month, Starwood opened the second Element hotel in Canada (see news, February 26).
alofthotels.com, elementhotels.com
Graham Smith
